After a nearly four-hour meeting at the Pleasant Valley School District office, Nazareth principal Vic Lesky, an MVC spokesman, announced the decision of league principals and athletic directors to expand by five schools.

Contracts are expected to be signed Friday during an 11 a.m. meeting at the Pleasant Valley School District office.

But any league change must be approved by member school boards.

If approved, the new members will begin play in September 1998 in all sports, joining East Stroudsburg, Lehighton, Nazareth, Northampton, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain and Stroudsburg high schools.

"There was a lot of discussion about the values that we share and the integrity of the league," explained Lesky. "We feel that the selected schools match our philosophy and level of play."

To the surprise of many MVC members, all 10 EPC schools had applied for admission as of Wednesday morning.

But Allen, Bethlehem Catholic, Central Catholic, Dieruff and Emmaus were not offered spots.

Lesky said that 12 teams was the optimum number that the MVC wanted to have. The conference will not consider expanding beyond that, he said.

"There were a variety of reasons for the selection," Lesky said. "Rivalries, distance, transportation costs and the classes of the schools."

All five invitees are Class 4A schools, making Lehighton the only Class 3A unit in the expanded league. School population determines class, with the largest being 4A.

"There was a lot of debate about which schools fit and if there should be 10 or 12 members. Seventeen teams was too many," Lesky said. "We were looking for what would benefit our league."

Lesky noted that at least two schools, Central Catholic and Bethlehem Catholic, did not offer a full slate of sports and that Liberty, Freedom, Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley and Pocono Mountain already play in 17 sports.

"We narrowed it down to 12 teams and each member-schools had preferences," Lesky said. "No school was accepted unanimously, and there were no real negatives on anyone."

He said the possible admission of the Catholic schools was discussed -- but only briefly.

"We told them we're a 4A school and that we'd add any sport that would make us more competitive," said Becahi principal Dick Culver. "As far as I know, we offer some sports they don't offer. Our bid was as good as anyone's.

"As a Liberty High alumnus, I'm saddened that a league started by Charlie Klein and Joe McIntyre -- the (former) Liberty and Freedom principals -- had to end up this way."

The joint wrestling coalition, formed last winter, will remain intact, according to Lesky.

This is the second time in a year that several EPC schools have threatened to leave. In both cases their motivation is the same -- not wanting to play Central Catholic and Bethlehem Catholic high schools in football and, to a lesser degree, in basketball.

The last crisis was averted when the EPC formed a compliance committee to deal with the key issues -- alleged recruiting by the Catholic schools and transfers for athletic reasons.

The EPC has long been considered one of the top conferences in eastern Pennsylvania because of its consistent strength and the proximity of its members.

"We will accept. We are excited about joining the MVC," Bethlehem Area School District athletic director Dominic Villani said Wednesday night. "We think the competition will be good for us, and the teams that have been accepted will add to the competitive factor of the entire package.

"It also gives us the flexibility that we've been (seeking) for many years.

Villani said he received approval from BASD Superintendent Thomas J. Doluisio to apply to the MVC, but added, "I'm not sure what's to happen as far as board approval."

With 12 teams and 11 league games for football, no member could play outside the MVC, endangering Thanksgiving Day rivalries such as Easton-Phillipsburg and Northampton-Catasauqua.

Just 10 games count for District 11 playoffs, leaving only those who don't reach the post-season to complete a full schedule.

Allentown schools superintendent Diane Scott will huddle with Allen and Dieruff officials and school board members tonight to discuss their options.

"Right now, we do not have an answer. In a way we have been caught off guard, and I'll never know the reason why," Scott said. "The board wants to have a home for our teams. We were shut out from this decision and will either have to look for another group or, for the time being, go independent. There are a lot of possibilities.

"When it was all said and done last year, we felt it was in the best interest of not just Allen and Dieruff, but for the valley to stay together," Scott continued. "They did not give the compliance committee process enough time.

"From a leadership and personal point of view, I'm distressed that my colleagues never called me. It's a shame they never even game me the courtesy of a phone call."